Basic Beliefs of Islam

Chapter 4 : Islam - the Only True Religion

Though the followers of every religion say that their religion is the only true religion, but none other than Muslims can prove it rationally. Let's give some strong points in suppor t of our belief that no one can disprove them on valid grounds.

Muslims never claim that Islam is a new religion, but believe that it is the first and the oldest religion which was revealed to the first man and the first Prophet, Adam (as ) who arrived on the planet earth by the order of Allah Subhanahu taala.
Muslims believe in the basic teachings of Prophet Ibrahim (as), Prophet Musa (as), Prophet Isa (as) and assert that Prophet Muhammed was the last prophet of all prophets who testified and completed the Divine message. i.e. all prophets from Hazrat Adam (as) to Hazrat Muhammad (sws ) have the same basic beliefs.
The Holy Quran is the only Divine book which is present in its original form and has never been slightly changed or adulterated or corrupted in anyway. No other book claimed as Divine book is available in its original form or in the same language in which it was revealed.
Islam covers each and every aspect of human life and gives complete guidance in every field of human interest. It has complete code of perfect life. No other religion has such complete course of social laws.
The basic beliefs and social laws of Islam never collide with each other. Also, the basic beliefs and fundamental teachings of Islam and the established facts of science show compatibility with each other. This is not true with any other religion of the world.
Islam tells us very clearly, from where we have come, why we are here, and where we will ultimately go. Islam clearly defines the aim of our creation and the purpose of our life. All other religions do not answer these basic questions so clearly.
Islam is the only true monotheistic religion which teaches us to believe in the absolute oneness of God.

Christians claim that they believe in one God but they also believe in trinity, i.e. they say 1+1+1 =1 which is not correct. Similarly Hindus claim that they also believe in one God but they worship many gods.

We shall now prove that the original teachings of Judaism, Christianity and many other religions testify the basic beliefs of Islam. These religions are now different because they have been changed by the people to fulfill their selfish demands.

The original Judaism and Christianity verify Islam

Followers of Judaism are known as Jews. Judaism in its original form was nothing but Islam. Jews still believe in Hazrat Moosa (Moses) who was a true messenger of Allah.

The name of Hazrat Musa (as) has appeared 136 times in 37 different chapters of the Holy Quran. Hazrat Moosa (as) is among the five great prophets. Allah Subhanahu taala has admired his sincere efforts and great contribution in the Quran.

And mention in the Book Musa. For He ( Hazrat Musa ) was an apostle, a prophet , and a chosen man. (19:51) Hazrat Musa ( as ) preached to his nation, the Ten Commandments, which are described in the Holy Quran. He taught his people that, There is no god except Allah and I (Musa) am His messenger.

Just as the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (sws), Torah ( Taurait ) was revealed to Hazrat Musa ( as ). Quran has confirmed that Taurat was a true Divine book which was revealed to the Prophet Musa (as ).

"He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming what preceded it; and he has already revealed the Torah (Laws of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) for the guidance of mankind, and the distinction between right and wrong." (3:3)

"It was We who revealed the Torah (law to Moosa): therein was guidance and light". (5:44) But today the religious book of Jews, the first five books of the Bible, which is called the Pentateuch or the Old Testament or the Torah, is not the same book which was revealed to Hazrat Moosa (as ).

Thus Muslims believe that Taurait, the original religious book of Jews, is a true Divine book which was revealed to Hazrat Musa (as ) from Allah but do not recognize the present Torah as a Divine book as it has been changed.

It is important to note that some of the unchanged traditions of Hazrat Musa (as) which Jews could not change and which they still observe are present in Islam. For example;

a - Jews still practice circumcision which is also compulsory in Islam. b - Jews do not eat pork which is also strictly forbidden in Islam. c - Jews do not eat shrimps, and other kinds of shellfish. d - Jews follow certain acts of Islamic slaughtering. e - Jews spiritual leaders Rabbis keep beard and cover their head. f - Jews observe burial formalities as soon as possible.

It is intersting to note that Christians, who also recognise Hazrat Musa as the Prophet of God and consider Torah as the part of their Bile do not follow any of the above laws. Jews also believe in Hazrat Ibrahim ( as ), the great prophet of Islam and the ancestor of the Holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sws ).

The grandson of Hazrat Ibrahim (as ) was Hazrat Yaqoob ( Jacob ), who was also called Israel. He had 12 sons. They founded the 12 tribes that became the Israelites. Over a period of time, many of them (the descendants of Hazrat Yaqoob) settled in Egypt, where they eventually became slaves. In the 1200's B.C, Hazrat Musa (as) freed them from the captivity of Firaun ( Pharaoh ) and led them out of Egypt to Cannon (Palestine ).

It is unfortunate that the followers of Hazrat Musa and the descendants of Hazrat Yaqoob and Hazrat Ibrahim (as) were the staunch enemies of the Holy Prophet (sws) Similarly the followers of Christianity are known as Christians.

Christians claim that Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Hazrat Isa (Jesus Christ). They believe that God sent Hazrat Isa as the savior of mankind.

But Christianity in its original form was nothing but Islam. Hazrat Isa (as ) taught his people that God is one and He has no par tner, no son, no father and that he is his messenger. Today Christians believe that Hazrat Isa is son of God and is a par t of God. They call him the lord of the universe and associate him with God. This is totally against the tr ue and original teaching of Hazrat Isa (as ).

The Quran tells us very clearly that Hazrat Isa (as ) did not say what Christians believe but he said what we Muslim believe. Quran also confirms that the true followers of Hazrat Isa (as) were Muslims.

"And behold! I inspired the disciples to have faith in Me and Mine messenger: They said, We have faith and do thou bear witness that we bow to Allah as Muslims." (5:111) "Then Allah (S.W.T) will say: Isa, son of Mariam, did you ever say to mankind: 'Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah?

"Glory to You,' he will answer, 'how could I say that to which I have no right? If I had ever said so, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my mind, but I can not tell You what is in Yours. You alone know what is hidden. I spoke to them nothing except what You bade me. (I said): 'Serve Allah (S.W.T), my Lord and your Lord'.

I watched over while living in their midst, and ever since You took me to You, You Yourself have been watching over them. You are the witness of all things. If You punish them, they surely are Your servants; and if You forgive them, surely You are Mighty Wise." (5: 116-118) This shows that the Christian's claim that they follow the teachings of Hazrat Isa is not correct. Hazrat Isa had never taught what Christians believe today.

Thus the true followers of Hazrat Isa are not Christians but Muslims. Muslims also believe that Injil was the Divine Book which was revealed to Hazrat Isa by Allah (S.W.T). The present Bible (New Testament) which Christians believe as a Divine Book is not the original Divine Book (Injil) which was revealed to Hazrat-e-Isa.

Thus, Muslims strongly believe that Hazrat Isa was the true messenger of Allah (S.W.T) who taught the basic beliefs and teachings of Islam. Today Christians do a lot of things which are totally against the teaching of Hazrat Isa. The religious center of Christianity is Rome, which was never even visited by him. Thus, history shows that Christianity has no connection with Hazrat Isa and his basic teachings.

Thus, both Jews and Christians claim that their religion is based on monotheism, but they don't believe in the absolute oneness of God. Quran reveals:

"The Jews call Uzayr a son of God, and the Christians call Christ the son of God. That is a saying from their mouth. They imitate what the unbelievers of old times used to say.

Allah's curse be on them, "How they are deluded away from the truth." (9:30) The religions such as Hinduism and Zoroastriaanisim etc., have been so badly changed that it is difficult to trace out their origin. We can not say anything about their original teachings and original beliefs Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Sikhism are the thoughts of human minds and cannot be considered as Divine religion.